KING MESSI CLOSE TO BEING TOPPLED

Argentine captain's near-miss with cable during celebrations

- JEREMY ARMSTRONG

LIONEL Messi was almost knocked off the open top bus carrying the Argentina team minutes after flying home with the World Cup.

Huge crowds turned out to see the national hero take the famous trophy down the plane steps at Ezeiza, just outside Buenos Aires, yesterday.

Messi, 35, waved as a rock band La Mosca played "Muchachos," the anthem of the team. But the star and four of his team mates had to duck under a cable just minutes later as they were carried through the streets on an open top bus.